Happy birthday, Star Tribune

"In presenting to an enterprising and intelligent public, for its consideration and support, the first number of the MINNEAPOLIS DAILY TRIBUNE, a few words of introduction may be neither ill-timed nor out of place."

Those were among the first words printed in what's now the Star Tribune. The newspaper's first issue printed today in 1867.

In celebration of the Strib's 150th birthday, we pulled some excerpts from its first issue.

Any respectable newspaper today wouldn't be caught dead advocating for a political party on its news pages. But consider when the Daily Tribune got its start: about two years after the Civil War ended.

Not only was it more common for papers to engage in advocacy work at that time, but the Republicans were the anti-slavery party back then. So, not being pro-Republican at the time would've been the wrong call.

WILL ADVOCATE FOR REPUBLICANS

Politically the Tribune will yield a hearty, generous, unwavering support to the Republican Party — the party represented by the majority in the 39th and 40th Congress — the party which, during its brief history, has done so much for human progress, and been instrumental in abolishing one of the worst forms of despotism known to any civilized people, and through whose policy millions of chattel have been converted from mere pieces of property into free and independent American citizens.

The old Strib really loved Minnesota. How could it not?

Minnesota, though a young State in the union, is universally considered to be one of the most important, flourishing and prosperous in the sisterhood of states, and before her is a future of brilliancy of which few probably of her own sons have as yet fully appreciated. She seems to be the crowning jewel of the Republic; and when it be considered that within her borders streams take their rise which find entrance to the ocean through points so widely separated as the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Hudson's Bay, this will scarcely be considered a figure of speech.

Apparently, telling time was an issue in 1867. Thank goodness for newspaper explainers.

IN REGARD TO WHISTLES

Thursday's Chronicle, spoke of the confusion arising from the difference in the time of sounding the whistles of mills and factories about town. It is proper to state that standard time is found at Marshall Bro's. Trains on the Central Railroad are governed by their regulator, and the delightful whistles of Dean and Co.'s mill also correspond with it, precisely, and may be relied upon as correct.

Let's hope public-service journalism never dies.

BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS

An old lady who resides in the town of Richfield visited our city yesterday for the purpose of making some purchases, and while in one of our leading dry goods stores, had her pocket picked of ten dollars. Our population has been increased recently by the addition of as precious a set of scamps as ever went unhung. Look out for them.

The early Tribune journalists must have been pious, issuing a lengthy explanation for why there won't be an early Monday paper.

[T]he very object of a Sunday instead of a Monday edition, is to avoid Sabbath work; and to give the entire force in the office — editors, compositors, pressmen and others — what all are entitled to — a day of rest. Daily newspaper men — like others — "remember the Sabbath day," and they desire an opportunity to "keep it holy."

The Star Tribune isn't the only Minnesota news company celebrating a big birthday in 2017 — Minnesota Public Radio happens to be turning 50 this year.

Transcription by MPR News' Jim Bickal and Eric Ringham.